Printer



United States Patent inventors John Bragg Primary Examiner-John M. HoranF Attorney-Robert L. Nathans Albert Eng, Brookline, Massachusetts [21]Appl. No. 547,030 [22] Filed May 2, 1966 Patmed l 15, 9 ABSTRACT: Aphotoelectric printer for printing the charac- Asslgnee 'P' ters from afamily having a large number of characters, such as Lexlngton:Massachusetts the Japanese or Chinese alphabet. An elongated belt havingawl'porallon Delaware one reproduction of each character thereon with aseparate binary code for each character, located adjacent each [541PRINTER Ii iiuiiiif $1332KEYS;fis ii lfiifiifiid'iiii ifi 13 Chums 3Drawmg Flgs' belt with one lamp located above each column of characters[52] U.S. Cl 95/4.5 to be printed. Each printing lamp has a sensor forsensing the [51] Int. Cl B4lb 17/10 binary code on the belt as the beltis driven along the row of [50] Field of Search... 95/4.5; thephotosensitive recording material. The binary code of 3 0/ 172.5, 1 9each character to be printed in each column of the row is recordedbeforehand in a buffer storage stage, and the output [56] Referencescued of each sensor is compared with the recorded code for each UNITEDSTATES PATENTS column. When the correct code is sensed for a column, the3,204,540 9/1965 Blakely 95/4.5 p g light is flashed and that characteris Primed on the 3,291,015 12/1966 M d 95/4 5 photosensitive recordingmedia. After the belt cycles once 2,950,800 8/1960 Caldwell... 197/1along the row, the recording media is then stepped to the next 3,319,5165/1967 Brown 95/4.5X row Where the printing process is repeated.

/19 I6 4 y 18 w 27 23 7 24 49 I7 l lull 22 3 l 0 37 -35 38 27 4s 1 2? 59l hlln l PRINTER The present invention relates to high speed electronicprinters.

Print-out facilities utilized in conjunction with todays highspeedcomputers have been for the most part relatively slow and cumbersomerelative to the computer operations themselves. The problem iscompounded where hundreds or thousands of different characters orsymbols are to be rapidly printed. For example, it is desirable torapidly print-outa line at a time of characters selected from a group ofover 4,000 Japanese characters. Satisfactory solutions to the problem ofrapidly and economically typing, type-setting and printing in theJapanese or Chinese languages have not as yet emerged.

Accordingly it is the principal object of the present invention toprovide a new and improved high-speed electro-optical printer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel,high-speed printer particularly adapted to rapidly and economicallyprint or typeset a line or a columnv at a time in the Japanese orChinese languages. l

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings, proceeds.

FIG. 1 schematically discloses a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 discloses a side view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 discloses a portion ofthe character belt.

In accordance with the present invention, an elongated belt bearingtransparent indicia of characters and associated identification codedesignations is driven over a photosensitive recording media. Aplurality of flashing circuits are positioned over the elongated belt,one circuit for each rowof characters to be printed on the media, lightproduced by each flasher passes through transparent indicia of aselected character to record the selected character on the media. A codecomparator is associated with each flashing circuit and causes itsassociated flashing circuit to flash when the sensedcharacteridentification code on the belt and under the'zflashing circuitis equal to a character selection address code, thereby to print theselected character under the particular flasher in the desired row ofcharacters. The addresscodes may begenerated by a conventional keyboardencoder or a computer and are inserted sequentially into a plurality ofbuffers stores, each of which addresses an associated comparator. Sincea match will occur between each address code and the identification codeof each selected character impressed on the belt once during each beltcycling interval and since the belt and flashing circuits are operatedat high-speed, rapid column or line at a time print-out is obtained. Byincreasing the length of the belt selective print-out of virtually ahynumber of characters or other symbols is attainable. 7

Referring now to FIG. 1, a photographic film recording media 1 isprovided which is supplied by supply roll and passes over print roll 3as shown in the drawing. Character belt 4 passes about belt rollers 5,6, 7 and 8 and is driven by belt motor 9 in the direction indicated byarrow 11. As indicated in FIG. 3 character belt 4 includes charactertrack 12 and identification code track 13. Area 14 has a particulartransparent Japanese character manifested therein. Whereas area 16contains that identification code which identifies only its associatedcharacter in area 14. This code could be in binary form where each digitis manifested by a transparent or opaque subarea. In the alternative,magnetic code markings could also be utilized. H

A keyboard encoder 17 is coupled to the input circuit of distributor 18by means of binary code leads 19. Where the printer is designed to printover 4,000 Japanese characters, 12 code leads are needed to provide therequisite number of binary code bits. When it is desired'to print acolumnof 40 Japanese characters, 40 buffer stores, such as buffer store21, are coupled to the distributor output circuitry by means of 40cables, such as cable 22, each having 12 code leads. The output leads ofeach buffer are coupled to the binary comparator of each printingstation, such as station 22. Forty printing stationsbeing provided forthe entire machine and only one of which is shown. The 12 output leadsof buffer 21 are coupled to the first input circuit of binary comparator23, the second input circuit of which is coupled to l l pick-up devices24 by means of cable 26.

Pickup devices 24 may be magnetic reading heads which read magneticallycoded code portions or in the alternative could comprise light pipes forreading binary "checker board patterns. As well known to those skilledin the art, a convertor such as a bank of photodiodes could provide forconverting light signals into electrical signals which are thereafterapplied to binary comparator 23.

Let it be assumed that it is desired to print a Japanese characteridentified by the binary number 100. The key board is actuated and thebinary number is encoded by unit 17 and is inserted into buffer store21. When the Japanese character having a code portion corresponding tothe binary number 100 is positioned below pickup heads 24, an outputsignal is produced by binary comparator 23 and timer 27 is actuated.Timer 27 is set so that flasher 28 is triggered just as the Japanesecharacter identified by binary code 100 is directly under light pipe 29.The resulting light passes through the transparent portion manifestingthe Japanese character to cause this character to be printed uponrecording media 1. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that suchprinting may be effected by conventional photography or xerography.

After the actuation of the key or keys which produces the aforementionedbinary number 100 to cause insertion of this number into buffer 21 amark is impressed upon lead 31 and distributor 18 is stepped which inturn results in the next encoded binary number being inserted into thesecond buffer store, not shown. Lead 31 could be energized by having theoperator strike at end of character key or in the alternative a delaydevice such as a monostable multivibrator could be coupled betweenencoding leads 19 and lead 31. The output leads of the second bufferstore are connected to a binary comparator similar to binary comparator23 which is part of the second row printing station, not shown, whichstation is identical to printing station 22. The printing of the secondJapanese character is effected in the same manner as the printing of thefirst character. The distributor is again stepped and the processcontinues until all characters are printed. Obviously all characters maybe encoded before printing takes place by merely providing isolationmeans between the buffer stores and the binary comparators. When thebinary number representing the last character is inserted into the Nthbuffer store, or" gate 32 produces a mark upon its output terminal 33which sets timer or delay means 34. The timer is adjusted so as to markits output circuit 36 after a given interval which is longer than thecycling time of character belt 4. The marking of lead 36 causes allbuffer stores and distributors 18 to become reset to thereby set thestage for the printing of a new column of characters. The marking oflead 36 also causes stepping motor 37 to rotate through a given anglewhich advances recording media 1 and causes an additional increment ofpaper to be advanced from supply row 2.

Details of the key board encoder 17 are omitted since such units arewell known to those skilled in the art. An example of such a unit isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,408,754 to G. L. Bush. Obviously if 4,000Japanese characters are being printed 4,000 keys would not be provided.A relatively small number of keys each having particular charactersegments impressed thereon would be utilized for many characters onlytwo such keys need be sequentially actuated. The actuation of the firstkey could impress a binary code on a first subgroup of theaforementioned group of leads 22 while the actuation of the second keythereafter would impress another binary code on the second subgroup ofthe group of leads 22 and so on.

In summary the printer of the present invention can selectively printJapanese from 4,000 or more characters almost as rapidly as a high speedprinter can manipulate the key board.

Should it be desirable to print from a group of symbols or charactershaving considerably more than 4,000 members all that is necessary isthat character belt 4 be made longer. It should be understood that adigital computer output or any other source of digital data couldreadily be substituted for the key board encoder.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore,intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A photoelectric printer comprising in combination:

a. a symbol storage media having only one symbol of each member of everyfamily of symbols recorded thereon, there being only one required familyof symbols, said media further having recorded thereon a separate symbolidentification code associated with each one of said symbols;

b. a plurality of sources of electromagnetic radiation for illuminatingsaid storage media;

c. a recording media sensitive to said electromagnetic radiationoptically coacting with said symbol storage media;

d. means for moving said symbol storage media and said recording mediarelative to one another;

e. means for selectively detecting one of said symbol identificationcodes for each symbol to be recorded on said recording media comprising,a source of symbol address codes, a plurality of buffer stores coupledto said source of symbol address codes, symbol identification codereading means coacting with symbol storage media for reading said symbolidentification codes associated therewith, and a plurality of codecomparators each having a first input circuit coupled to the outputcircuit of an associated buffer store and having a second input circuitcoupled to the output circuit of one of said associated identificationcode reading means, said comparator having an output coupled to saidmeans for activating a selected source; and

f. means for activating a selected source of said plurality of sourcesof radiation upon said detection to print one of said symbols on saidrecording media.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means foractivating a selected source includes a variable timing device foraccurately controlling the flash instant of the source with respect tothe movement of said symbol storage media relative to said recordingmedia.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said symbol storage mediacomprises an elongated tape.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said symBbl storage mediacomprises an elongated tape.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for movingincludes first means for moving said recording media and second meansfor substantially continuously moving said symbol storage media in adirection transverse to the direction of movement of said recordingmedia.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for movingincludes first means for moving said recording media and second meansfor substantially continuously moving said symbol storage media in adirection transverse to the direction of movement of said recordingmedia.

7. A photoelectric printer comprising in combination:

a. a symbol storage media having only one symbol of each member of everyfamily of symbols recorded thereon, there being only one required familyof symbols, said media further having recorded thereon a separate symbolidentification code associated with each one of said symbols;

b a plurality of sources of electromagnetic radiation for illuminatingsaid storage media;

c. a recording media sensitive to said electromagnetic radiationoptically coacting with said symbol storage media;

d. means for moving said symbol storage media and said recording mediarelative to one another comprising first means for moving said recordingmedia and second means for substantially continuously moving said symbolstorage media in a direction transverse to the direction of movement ofsaid recording media;

means for selectively detecting one of said symbol identification codesfor each symbol to be recorded on said recording media; and means foractivating a selected source of said plurality of sources of radiationupon said detection to print one of said symbols on said recordingmedia. A photoelectric printer comprising in combination: a. a symbolstorage media comprising an elongated tape having only one symbol ofeach member of every family of symbols recorded thereon, there beingonly one required family of symbols, said media further having recordedthereon a separate symbol identification code associated with each oneof said symbols;

a plurality of sources of electromagnetic radiation for illuminatingsaid storage media;

0. a recording media sensitive to said electromagnetic radiationoptically coacting with said symbol storage media;

d. means for moving said symbol storage media and said recording mediarelative to one another comprising first means for moving said recordingmedia and second means for substantially continuously moving said symbolstorage media in a direction transverse to the direction of movement ofsaid recording media;

e. means for selectively detecting one of said symbol identificationcodes for each symbol to be recorded on said recording media; and

means for activating a selected source of said plurality of sources ofradiation upon said detection to print one of said symbols on saidrecording media. A character printer comprising in combination: a. asymbol storage media having only one symbol of each member of everyfamily of symbols recorded thereon, there being only one required familyof symbols, said media further having recorded thereon a separate symbolidentification code associated with each one of said symbols;

a recording media subject to recordation of a plurality of said symbols;

c. means for moving said symbol storage media and said recording mediarelative to one another;

d. means for selectively detecting one of said symbol identificationcodes comprising, a source of symbol address codes, a plurality ofbuffer stores coupled to said source of symbol address codes, symbolidentification code reading means coacting with symbol storage media forreading said symbol identification codes associated therewith, and aplurality of code comparators each having a first input circuit coupledto the output circuit of an associated buffer store and having a secondinput circuit coupled to the output circuit of one of said associatedidentification code reading means, said comparator having an outputcoupled to said recording means; and

e. recording means responsive to said means for selectively detectingone of said symbol identification codes to record the symbol on saidrecording media which corresponds to said one symbol identificationcode.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said recording meansincludes a variable timing device for accurately controlling the timingof said recording means with respect to the relative movement of saidsymbol storage media and said recording media.

11. A character printer comprising in combination:

a. a symbol storage media having at least one symbol of each member of aselected family of symbols recorded thereon, said media further havingrecorded thereon a separate symbol identification code associated witheach of said symbols;

b. a recording media subject to recordation of a plurality of saidsymbols;

. means for moving said storage media and said recording media relativeto one another;

. said means for moving including first means for moving 12. Apparatusas set forth in claim 11 wherein: a. said printer is a photoelectricprinter; b. said recording means includes a plurality of sources ofelectromagnetic radiation for illuminating said storage media;

c. said recording media is sensitive to said electromagnetic radiationwhich optically coacts with said symbol storage media; and

d. said recording means further includes means for activating a selectedsource of said plurality of sources of radiation in response to saidmeans for selectively detecting to record one of said symbols on saidrecording media.

13. A character printer comprising in combination: a. a symbol storagemedia having only one symbol of each member of every family of symbolsrecorded thereon, there being only one required family of symbols, saidmedia further having recorded thereon a separate symbol identificationcode associated with each one of said symbols;

. a recording media subject to recordation of a plurality of saidsymbols;

. means for moving said symbol storage media and said recording mediarelative to one another comprising first means for moving said recordingmedia and second means for substantially continuously moving said symbolstorage media in a direction transverse to the direction of movement ofsaid recording media;

d. means for selectively detecting one of said symbol identificationcodes; and

e. recording means responsive to said means for selectively detectingone of said symbol identification codes to record the symbol on saidrecording media which corresponds to said one symbol identificationcode.

